More than 10000 devotees participatE in the South Indian biggest Ravan Dahan organised by ISKCON, Jayanagar as part of its Annual Dasara festival celebrations commemorating the pastime of the victory of Lord Rama over the evil King Ravana on Saturday, 30th Sept.
While speaking on the subject “Krishna Bhakti : Beyond good and evil”, Sriman Madhu Pandit Das, President of ISKCON Bangalore and Chairman of Akshaya Patra Foundation said that “There is always a war within our own heart, between good and evil. The destruction of Ravana by Lord Rama represents the destruction of evil within oneself and in the society at large. By adopting the process of chanting of the Holy name of the Lord one can destroy the evil within in the form of lust, anger, greed, and pride”. Artists from Mudrika Foundation for Indian Performing Arts, Bengaluru performed “Raghuvamsha Charita” – a dance drama depicting the significant pastimes of Lord Ramachandra as described by Maharaja Swati Thirunal in his beautiful kriti, ‘Bhavayami Raghu Ramam’. Followed by this was the eye captivating vista of Their Lordships Sri Krishna & Balarama adorned as Sri Rama & Lakshmana going on a joyous ride on the “Gaja Vahana” while the devotees enjoyed pulling the chariot singing Hare Krishna Mantra.
The burning of 60 ft. high effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarana and Meghanad marking the victory of Lord Rama over Rakshasa Ravana and also to indicate the victory of truth over evil was a spectacular excitement for the devotees. The crowd gathered in thousands displayed loud exultations as the effigies burnt down to the sound of firecrackers.